[CHAPTER V.]
MUTINY.
As the three boys, for Dick Donovan brought up the rear, sprang up the gangway steps the burly figure of a sailor suddenly blocked their way.
“You kids keep out of this,” he admonished, and tried to push Jack back.
The boy’s fist shot out and the sailor, caught fairly on the point of the chin, fell in a sprawling heap. Jumping over his prostrate form, as he lay there swearing and trying to regain his feet. Jack and his companions gained the deck.
The first thing their eyes fell upon was Mr. Chadwick struggling in the arms of several sailors. Jack reached the deck just in time to see a noose thrown over his father’s head, making him a helpless captive as it was swiftly drawn down and pulled tight about his arms.
“Let my father go!” shouted Jack angrily, springing forward.
The bristly-moustached man stood in his way. As the boy rushed forward the man thrust out his foot and Jack fell in a heap. In an instant the sailor pounced on him. But Tom, with a shout, pitched upon Jack’s captor. In a flash they were rolling all over the deck.
Jack regained his feet as the heavy form of his captor was removed. Dick Donovan was at his side.
“I’m with you, by Barataria,—I’m with you!” he cried, throwing himself into an attitude of defense as several men ran toward them. Tom had by this time managed to throw off the man whom he had attacked and, springing to his feet, he joined his comrades. The three boys, their backs to a deck house, faced the crew of the yacht without flinching; but their faces had grown deadly pale. Mr. Chadwick had been dragged off and was not to be seen.